This man in China is holding a “turn or burn” placard that says, 不信耶稣下地狱，信耶稣上天堂 translation: “You’ll go to hell if you don’t believe in Jesus but you’ll get to heaven if you believe in him.”
So here’s a question for you: How has the “turn or burn” message resonated with you? Has it inspired you to follow Jesus with all your heart? Has it helped you to understand God’s grace in your life?
I have lived and ministered in China for nearly 15 years, but have never seen this approach to sharing the gospel message. No doubt, it is not a common sight, in part due to governmental restrictions for public proselytizing. I—alongside the underground Chinese Church—appreciate how persecution has helped the growth of Christianity in China.
Growth of the Christian gospel has mushroomed on a macro scale via the micro relationships and shared graces of individuals and small house churches. Since 1949, when all foreign missionaries were kicked out of China, through the Cultural Revolution, horrific persecution, all the way till the Bamboo Curtain finally reopened in 1978, millions upon millions of Chinese came to know the salvation message of the persecuted and now risen Savior.
They didn’t need turn or burn placards during China’s Cultural Revolution.
So why now? How has culture so shifted that this man feels he needs a ministry style tool such as this—a placard with the text “You’ll go to hell if you don’t believe in Jesus but you’ll get to heaven if you believe in him”?
China’s Christian growth is astounding. The revival boom continues. The Holy Spirit has done and is doing the work—usually despite our feeble attempts at ministry! I am speaking to myself and Within Reach Global as well.
We will continue to do our best to lead people into the kingdom of God. Many of our ministry ideas are decent. Others are completely useless. But with whatever intentions people preach, we, like Paul, rejoice that the name of Jesus is being proclaimed.
In the end, God gets the glory, because he’s the one doing the true hard part of changing hearts.
